Balakhani villagers: if wind changes, the fire will quickly be here

The village of Balakhani, Untsukul District of Dagestan, is still blocked by power agents, while the adjacent forest is on fire, local residents assert. However, as stated by a source from the Untsukul ROVD (District Interior Division), there is no fire threat to the villages located in the district.

Let us remind you that residents of Balakhani, where militants are looked for since December 1, fear that militaries have begun burning down the forest. The information about the fire in the vicinity of Dagestani villages of Balakhani, Kharachi and Moksokh has arrived to the SMS-service of the "Caucasian Knot" in the evening on December 3; however, the Dagestani Forest Fire Service did not confirm the fact of fire.

"A huge territory is on fire; and our military machines are behind it. The fire continues to spread; and we have an impression that the militaries are deliberately burning down the forest trying to "smoke out" militants. This is a hardly accessible area – the gorge is covered with woods. No gunfire was heard; however, nobody is engaged in fire-fighting," said a local woman while preferring to stay anonymous, adding that the fire is already a bit more than kilometre away.

A source from the Untsukul ROVD has confirmed to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent the information about the fire, without specifying its reason.